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Summertime Sadness

  Matthew 14:25-31 "About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, 'It's a ghost!' But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Do not be afraid,' he said. 'Take courage. I am here!' Then Peter called to him, 'Lord if it's really you, tell them to come to you, walking on the water.' 'Yes, come,' Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. 'You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?' 

  This past summer has felt like the longest summer in my entire life. I have never experienced bitterness, stress, anger, exhaustion, even hatred, as much as I have experienced all of that this summer. I look back and think to myself, "what happened?" Well much like Peter, I took my eyes off Christ when the winds and waves in my life picked up, and in return I began to drown. 
  
   You see, it's not so much I tried taking control, like I always try to do, it was more I neglected seeking Christ constantly. I got so overwhelmed I didn't know where to look. I had the mindset that, "going with the flow" was the best way to go about everything being thrown at me, but oh boy did that all back fire on me. The feeling of being so lost, physically hurt me. I didn't know you could get headaches from being so confused with life. 

  So here are my little words of wisdom for those walking on water when the winds and waves are picking up: DO NOT take your eyes off Christ. Isaiah 48:17 "This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.'" 
  
  Looking back on these past few months I know that if my first response was to turn to Christ in prayer and seek direction, it would have been a much smoother ride. However, I got scared of the winds and waves picking up, that I lost sight of the One who was holding my hand through it all. 
  
   Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." 

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